devotion

a single bottle
filled with a year's wages
not spent on the needs of the world

but here it is, poured. washed.
absorbed into the skin of the Christ.
embedded in the skin of Christ.

and there, before the world
fiercely whipped
there, on the back that bears their burdens
fiercely pierced
there, on the side that they embraced
fiercely struck
there, on the cheek that they kissed

as He bled, as He sweat,
off of His skin,
He could smell the scent of her devotion.
with every slash,
the scent of her devotion
with every curse
the scent of her devotion
with every piercing thorn
the scent of her devotion
with His last inhalation
the scent of her devotion.

And the angels asked her, "Woman, why are you crying?"
"They have taken my Lord away," she said, "and I don't know where they have put Him." At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus.
"Woman," He said, "why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?"
Thinking He was the gardener, she said, "Sir, if you have carried Him away, tell me where you have put Him, and I will get Him."

Jesus said to her, "Mary."

She turned toward Him and cried out, "RABBONI!"



-John 20:13-16

And He remembers her devotion....
He remembers my devotion.


xo



Currently Listening: The Reward by Jonathan David Helser